Canadian rockers Theory of a Deadman are currently touring North America with 10 Years and Eva Under Fire. Theory is supporting their latest album that was released oin January of 2020. On a cold November night they came to Sayreville in New Jersey, the town that was made famous by legendary American band Bon Jovi, who were formed here back in 1983.
Before Theory first came on stage Eva Under Fire who unfortunately I missed, opened the night and they were followed by 10 Years, American rockers from Knoxville, Tennessee. Just as Theory they were formed back in 1999, to this date having released nine studio albums with the latest one coming last year as well and is called Violent Allies.
10 Years sound would be classified more to alternative rock style, though live they sound much more louder and heavier as on the album. They opened their set with And All the Other Colors, The Wicked Ones and Fix Me. All that excitement and energy kept building up through every song all the way up to their biggest hit Wasteland, from their third studio album The Autumn Effect. They followed up and wrapped up their set with catchy melodic hit song Novacaine.
The stage was set for award winning and chart-topping Theory of a Deadman. There are bands that blend in the general scope, and then there are some that stand out of the pack either for their specific sound or style. Theory might be both. Bands lead singer and guitarist Tyler Connolly has always stood out with his immaculate looks, that he might have borrowed from American musician Chris Isaak. There is also one more connection between them that we will come back to later. Musically they have carved out their own hard rock with some laid-back vibes style. They are also not holding back when it comes to censorship, cue Bad Girlfriend and Bitch Came Back songs.
They opened their set with Lowlife, Bitch Came Back and Blow (song to air out their grievances) that had an intro with the infamous Kanye West quote about him being a biggest rock star. They followed up with World Keeps Spinning, the song from their latest album, a laid back masterpiece with catchy melody. It was preceded by guitar solos and Tyler addressing the crowd of what they mean to the band, while dropping a few jokes alongside. My favorite was about them being at the age where the only joints they roll are ankles.
After Santa Monica and So Happy we are returning to Chris Isaak. Back in 2017 Theory released their sixth studio album called Wake Up Call. That album covered a lot of serious issues with the song Rx (Medicate) touching on Americas opioid addiction problem. The last song on that album was Wicked Game. While many remakes miss the mark, this one is done excellently. The crew brought out on a stage a white piano. Tyler came to play it in half lights that created a subtle atmosphere, with his voice and piano sounds filling the ballroom vibrantly. Mid song he was joined by the rest of the bandmates to give the song a more dramatic turn. As original song by Chris Isaak is my guilty pleasure outside the hard rock music verse, I must say this rendition was absolutely perfect.
Theory continued with another one from the same album called Straight Jacket, while playing Rx for the encore and finishing off with a banger Bad Girlfriend (no puns intended here).
The band still has more than a dozen shows to play across United States until mid-December until they will start pondering where they will go tour next.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Andris Jansons
